antiquity and continuity of vedic culture hindu swayamsevak sangh

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Antiquity and Continuity of Vedic Culture Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

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Page 1: Antiquity and Continuity of Vedic Culture Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

Antiquity and Continuity of Vedic Culture

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

Page 2: Antiquity and Continuity of Vedic Culture Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

Sources of History

• Vedic Literature• Puraan, Ramayan, Mahabharat• Zend Avesta, Greek Sources• Astromical, Philological,

Archaelogical, Literary

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Early Kings

Manu the son of Vivasvan, was the 15th decendant of Barhi.

Manu's decendants are called Manav.

During his rule a terrible flood broke out. It is believed that a shark (First incarnation of Vishnu) helped Manu survive the floods.

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Swayambhuva Manu• Kaliyug : 3102 B.C (Varahamihira, Kalhana, Arya

Bhatta, Vruddha Garga, Puraan)• ChaturYuga Cycle : 12000 human years (4800

years Kruta, 3600 Treta, 2400 Dwapar, 1200 Kali)

• Vaivasta Manu: 13902 B.C (10,800 years before Kali)

• Swayambhuva Manu: 29000 B.C (71 Divya Years before) 1 Divya Year = 360 human years)

• The Matsya Puraan (129-76, 77) confirms• B.G.Tilak in his "Orion" has calculated 29101 B.C.,

using astronomical data

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“Bhaarat” Origins• King Nahush caretaker of Indra's Kingdom

• King Yayati's thirst to remain young

• Yayati rewards his youngest son Puru

• Shakuntala is born to Apsara Menakaa • Prince Dushyant secretly marries Shakuntala. • Shakuntala looses the ring, that proves her to be Dushyant's wife.

• Ring is found. Return of Shakuntala.

• King Bharat. After whom the country is called Bhaarat.

user
King Nahush caretaker of Indra's KingdomNahush was a decendant of Manu, through Manu's daughter Ila. He ruled Pratishtahan (today's Paithan, on banks of Godavari). When Indra escaped to hide, (for killing a Brahmin) Nahush was chosen as a caretaker of Indra's kingdom. Attracted to Sachi (Indra's queen), Nahush ordered Bramhins to take him to Sachi. This enraged the bramhins and they cursed the King. Nahush was promptly removed from his caretaker position. King Yayati's thirst to remain young.Nahush's son, Yayati became the king of Pratishthan after Nahush. Yayati had two wives: Devyani (daughter of Danav guru, Sukracharya) and Sharmishtha. As Yayati started getting old, he wanted to retain his youth. His son Puru gave his youth to his father. Eventually, Yayati realsied his mistake and accepted his old age. Yayati rewards his youngest son Puru.Yayati was pleased with his youngest son, Puru. Thus after Yayati, Puru became the king of Pratishthan. Shakuntala is born to Apsara Menaka.Sage Vishwamitra was busy with creating Pratisrushti. Indra could not tolerate that. So, he sent Apsara Menaka to distract him from his work. Apsara Menaka bore Sage Vishwamitra's daughter Shakuntala. She was raised in the hermitage of Sage Kanva. Prince Dushyant secretly marries Shakuntala.King Puru's son Dushyant, wandered in the hermitage of Sage Kanwa. Here he met and fell in love with Shakuntala. He secretly married Shakuntala in the hermitage. He gave her a token ring, which would establish her identity as his wife. Shakuntala looses the ring, that proves her to be Dushyant's wife.Shakuntala lost the ring on her way to the palace. Dushyant could not accept her without the ring. Heartbroken, Shakuntala left for the woods. Where she gave birth to a baby boy; Bharat. Ring is found. Return of Shakuntala.Few years later, the ring was found. Dushyant, now the king of Praatishthan, went in search for Shakuntala. He brought the Shakuntala and Bharat with him to the capital. King Bharat. After whom the country is called Bhaarat.Bharat became the king of Pratishthan after Dushyant. Bharat, is unquestionably the greatest king of this land. After him the country came to be known as Bhaarat. He had nine sons, and none of them seemed fit to rule after him. So, he adopted a capable child, who succeeded Bharat.
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Cradle of Civilization

• Where?• When?• Spread?

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40,000 year old Painting

•White silica sandstone rock shelter

•Bhimbetka Caves

•Notice the horse with rider

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River System•Sapta-Sindhu Region

•Saraswati changes course 4 times

•Finally disappears

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Saraswati

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Saraswati-Sindhu Culture•300 cities & many supporting villages covered 1,500,000 sq. km. Bigger than Western Europe.

•Most cities were shaped as parallelograms.

•Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa had populations of 100,000.

•Cities had giant reservoirs for water.

•Underground drainage system.

•2 or 3 storied houses, built with bricks of uniform size.

•Weights were standardized. •The entire empire used same script.

•Marine culture. A huge dock in Lothal.

•They exported goods to Egypt (Nile) and Sumer (Iraq, Tigris-Euphrates).

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RgVedic Places

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Outbound Migration

• War• Famine, Flood• Commerce

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Dasharadnya Yuddha (War of Ten Kings)

• Iranian (Abhivarta) Chayamana – King of Paarthava people

• Bhaaradwaj Rishi, Commander Divodaasa (Father Daivavatata, Son Sudas)

• Sudas (Vasishtha, Agastya)• Sindhu River – Migration to East

and West

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Paarthava and Bharata

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Hindu Kush Region

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Zarathushtra• Vedic Iranian (Dasyu)• Zarathustra, a contemporary of

king Vishtaspa (Sage Kaksivan speaks of one Istasva) lived around 7100 B.C.

• Greeks Herodotus / Strabo: Caspian Sea and Caucasus mountains are named from Sage Kaspios (Sage Kashyapa of the Rg Veda)

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Migration to West (Tigris, Euphrates)

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Migration to the WestIran-Iraq• Charles Vallency quotes Sir William Jones as

saying "It has been proved by clear evidence and plain reasoning that a powerful monarchy was established in Iran, long before the Assyrian or Pishdadi government; that it was in truth a Hindu monarchy ... that is subsisted many centuries.." (Collectania De Rebus Hibernicus, p.465).

• Pococke observes, "that a system of Hinduism pervaded the whole Babylonian and Assyrian empires"

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Migration to the WestEurope / Greece• Renfrew allows a date as early as 6000 B.C. for the

migration of Vedic aryans into Europe ("The Origins of Indo- European Languages", Sc.Amer, Oct, 1989).

Egypt• Prof. Brugsch Bey writes in "History of Egypt" that "We

have a right to more than suspect that India, eight thousand years ago, sent a colony of emigrants who carried their arts and high civilization into what is now known to us as Egypt. The Egyptians came, according to their records, from a mysterious land (now known to lie on the shores of the Indian ocean) ... led by Amen, Hor, Hathor (Brahma, Hari, Rudra)..."

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Migration to the WestGreece• Pococke writes in "India in Greece" (quoted in Age of

Buddha, by K.Venkatachalam, p.75), "The early civilization, the early arts, the indubitably early literature of India are equally the civilization of, the arts, and literature of Egypt and of Greece; for geographical references conjoined to historical facts and religious practices, now prove beyond all dispute than the latter countries are the colonies of the former".

• The Greeks (and Egyptians) derived their cosmogony from the Hindus is apparent from their respective literature (Deshpandey, "Bharat: As seen and known by foreigners").

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Great Epics

• Ramayana• Mahabharat• Migration to East, Far West

user
Lanka of Ramayana The city of Lanka was under the rule of Malyavant, Sumali, Mali who were the children of Sukesu. They had to vacate Lanka as a consequence of Vishnu's invasion. Lanka was then occupied by Kuber the son of rishi Visravasu through his first wife Devavarni the daughter of rishi Bharadwaja. Rishi Visravasu also married Kaikasi the daughter of Sumali who gave birth to Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Surpanakha [daughter] and Vibhishana. While Ravana was in tapasya in Gokarna region Sumali approaches him and tells how they lost the city of Lanka. He tells Ravana to win Lanka again. Ravana was in no mood to disturb Kubera as Kubera was his half brother. Then Sumali pursues Ravana by narrating the misdeeds of devtas and how devatas killed mighty Rakshasa kings Hiranyakasyapa and Hiranyaksha by cheating. He also explained the ousting of the Rakshasa Emperor Bali by deceitful methods. Ravana was pained and puzzled on hearing these episodes. Ravana then sends an emissary to his brother Kubera to convey the wish of Ravana to take over Lanka which originally was being ruled by the maternal side ancestors of Ravana. Kubera consults his father Visravasa who advised Kubera to vacate Lanka and not to fight Ravana.. Kubera then migrated to Kailasa. Lanka flourished under the just rule of mighty Ravana. The city of Lanka was on a mountain called Trikuta. The city is surrounded by a deep trench. Mighty warriors were guarding the city. The roads are wide. One can hear music from the houses. Vedas were being recited. All the people there were happy and gale. The city had multi storied buildings. There were gardens and surface water bodied with many a lotus. The ladies of the city were beautiful, contended and were wearing ornaments of gold and precious stones. This is what Sri Hanuman Jee noted when he went to Lanka in search of Sita. But where is the Lanka ?
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Ramayana 5500 B.C

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Evidence• Tradition informs that Mahabharata occurred

at the end of Dwaapar Yuga and Ramayana at the end of Treta Yuga.

• Some clues from Sumerian clay tablets, Isin and Kish chronicles which approximate the date of the first king (Ukhu == Iksh-vaku) of the first dynasty of Sumeria to be 8350 B.C.

• Shree Rama was 75th in Ikshwaku lineage and that 60 generations passed between Shree Rama and Shree Krishna. … (Shrimad Bhagvat) that Ramayanic date therefore falls at about 5300 B.C.

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Rama Setu

•Fictitious?

•30 km long – Ramaeshwar and Srilanka

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Ramayana Abroad• Nepal, Sri Lanka, South Easy Asia• Japan and China from Jataka• Cold Siberia

•Mayans of Mexico, Poetry Peru and Vishnu Temple in Uruguay

“work of the Nazca people for navigational aid”. According to local legend, this carved trident represents the lightning rod of the god Viracocha, who was worshipped throughout South America.

user
As per Dr. P. V. Vartak, the trident is a sign of east ( as we have 180 degrees today to decide from where west starts ). This was created by Vishnu around 15000 - 17000 years ago. And the lines on the Nazca are the signs of Ancient Airport of King Bali, around 15000 years ago.Surprisingly the sign of Trident is also mentioned in Ramayan, when Kind Sugriv gives directions to his people for search of Sita. The description given is so clear and apt that Sugriv or Sage Vasitha must have seen this trident from sky
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Ramayana in South East Asia

• Prambanan was built in Java, Indonesia by Rakai Pikatan, king of the Second Mataram Dynasty (late 9th century AD).

• Lions flee as Ravana uproots the mountain where Shiva sits with his consort Parvati. (Temple relief Angkor, Cambodia )

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Ramayana in South East Asia

• Rama, Sita and Lakshmana enter the forest ( Golden Gong Puppet Theatre (Yok the pwe, marionettes) 

Yangon, Myanmar  

Ravana kidnaps Sita. Lakhon bassac (folk opera), DaoTan Drama Theatre

Binh Dinh, Vietnam

Jatayu tries to rescue Sita. Detail of mural painting (late 18th C) at Wat Phra Si Ratana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo) Temple Bangkok, Thailand

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Ramayana in South East Asia

Hanuman delivers Rama's ring to Sita.  Khon (court dance drama), Natyasala Dance School Wiangchan, Laos

The monkeys build a causeway of rocks to Ravana's kingdom. Hanuman dives below the sea and finds Suvarnamatsya, Wat That Luang Ratsamahawihan temple,

Luang Phabang, Laos.

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Mahabharat 3138 B.C.

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Ancient History of NorthEast India during Mahabharat Ancient History of NorthEast India at MahabharatAncient history of Manipur and Nagas at Mahabharata eraThe earliest references to 'Manipur' date back to the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, in which several characters, such as Chitrāngadā, Ulupi, Babruvahana, and Iravan, are 'Manipuris'.The earliest references to Nagaland are found in the Indian epic Mahābhārata. Several characters from the region, such as Princess Ulupi and Prince Iravan, were referred to as Naga people in the epic.The word Naga is perhaps derived from Nag or belivers of snake god. The people were originally referred to as Chingmee (Hill People) or Hao (Tribes) in the history of Manipur.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NagalandUlupiUlūpī or Uloopi, in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, was one of Arjuna's wives. While Arjuna was in Manipur, the Naga princess became infatuated with him. She caused him to be abducted after he had been intoxicated with potent concoctions and had him conveyed to her realm in the netherworld. There, Ulūpī induced an unwilling Arjuna to take her for a wife. She was the mother of Iravan. She later restored Arjuna to the lamenting Chitrāngadā, one of Arjuna's other wives. She played a major part in the upbringing of Arjuna and Chitrangada's son, Babruvahana. She was also able to restore Arjuna to life after he was slain in battle by Babruvahana. When Arjuna was given a curse by the Vasus,Bheeshma's brothers after he killed Bheeshma in the Kurushtra war,She redeemed him Arjuna from his curse.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UlupiIravanIravat or Iravan (Sanskrit:इरवन), in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, was the son of Pandava prince Arjuna and Naga princess Ulupi. He fought on the side of the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war and was killed by the Rakshasa Alumvusha on the eighth day of the war.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IravanFinally reaching the destination in Dimapur, he travelled to Hidimba kunda where the marriage of Bhima(ref. Maharharata) and Hidimba took place after killing Hidimba's demon brother. At the home of Hidimba there are still remains of large pillars with archeological significance.http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:tjdqX8VUnPcJ:btg.krishna.com/main.php%3Fid%3D295+Arjuna+kunda+manipur&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=inChitrangadaChitrāngadā (चित्रांगदा), in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, is one of Arjuna's wives. Arjuna travelled the length and breadth of India during his term of exile. His wanderings took him to ancient Manipur in the eastern Himalayas, an almost mystic kingdom renowned for its natural beauty. There, he met Chitrāngadā, the daughter of the king of Manipur, and was moved to seek her hand in marriage. Her father demurred on the plea that, according to the matrilineal customs of his people, the children born of Chitrāngadā were heir to Manipur; he could not allow his heirs to be taken away from Manipur by their father. Arjuna agreed to the stipulation that he would take away neither his wife Chitrāngadā nor any children borne by her from Manipur and wed the princess on this premise. A son, whom they named Babruvahana, was soon born to the couple. Babruvahana would succeed his grandfather as king of Manipur.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitr%C4%81ngad%C4%81BabruvahanaBabruvahana( or Babhruvahana) is one of the sons of Arjuna, begotten through Chitrangada, the princess of Manipur, during the period of his exile at Manipur.Babruvahana was adopted as the son of his maternal grandfather, and reigned at Manipur as his successor. He dwelt there in a palace of great splendour, surrounded with wealth and signs of power.When Arjuna went to Manipur with the horse intended for the Aswamedha, there was a quarrel between Arjuna and King Babhruvahana, and the latter killed his father with an arrow. Repenting of his deed, he determined to kill himself, but he obtained from his stepmother, the Naga princess Uloopi, a gem which restored Arjuna to life. He returned with his father to Hastinapura. [1]This was on account of a curse by the Vasus, on account of Arjuna's killing Bhishma (who is an incarnation of one of the Vasus) during the Mahabharata war.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BabruvahanaThe Mahabharata mentions that in the kingdom of Manipur, more than five thousand years ago, the prince Arjuna married the Manipuri princess Citrangada. Their son Babhruvahana ruled Manipur for a very long time. Though some scholars (of course) disagree, most scholars and adherents of the Vedic tradition identify that kingdom of Manipur with the present Manipur state.In the Srimad-Bhagavatam (9.22.32) it is said, sutayam babhruvahanam manipura-pateh so ’pi tat- putrah putrika-sutah: “By his wife the princess of Manipur, Arjuna had a son named Babhruvahana, who became the adopted son of the Manipuri king.”http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:tjdqX8VUnPcJ:btg.krishna.com/main.php%3Fid%3D295+Arjuna+kunda+manipur&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=inAncient history of Arunachal at Mahabharata eraMalinithan in Lekhabali and Rukhmininagar near Roing, place where Rukhmini, Lord Krishna's wife, used to live and Parshuram Kund in Lohit district, which is believed to be the lake where Parshuram washed away all his sinshttp://www.joy-travels.com/india_guide/arunachal-pradesh.asphttp://www.indiantemplesportal.com/arunachal-pradesh-temples.htmlParusharamParashuram Kund also finds its mention in many puranic texts in different ways. However, it is believed that ?Parashuram was born to saint Jamadagni and Rebuka in Treta.One day, Renuka, after her bath in Ganga was on her way back to the Ashram when she saw the Gandhrava King Chitraratha playing with the celestial nymphs. She felt drawn to the king chitraratha and lost the track of time.When she returned with wet cloths, frightened and absent minded, it was already time for the mid-day worship in the Ashram. Jamadagni, who was worried over the delay of her returning from her bath, could perceive why she waslate.Jamadgani then became so much furious for this unusual conduct of Renuka that he lost his self-controlled. He asked his father?s cruel mandate as a dutiful son. He came forward and killed his mother, as he was fully aware of his father?s power of Tapasya. He even killed his brothers because they did not carry out their father?s command.Here at this Kund, the legendary sage Purusharam gets atoned from his sin of matricide.http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=kshow&kid=89&RukamaniBhishmaknaar fortThe Dibang Valley lying to the extreme north of the state is close to the Chinese border. Tribal Discovery takes you to Roing a small town with the ancient Bhishmaknagar Fort excavated in 1996 revealing relics dating back to the 4th Century A.D. Built with bricks of clay and extending to 19 Sq.Kms it is believed to be the ancient kingdom of Bhismaka where Rukmani was given in marriage to Lord Krishna. Malinithan a small town has strong mythological links with Lord Krishna and his consort Rukmani.http://www.tribaldiscovery.com/destination-arunachal.htmAccording to traditional accounts Princess Rukmini birth in the family of Bhismaka. (Mahabharata Adi 67.156). Rukmini was the daughter of King Bhismaka of Kundil in Upper Assam. Bhismaka was the vassal of King Jarasandha of Magadha.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RukminiThe first known ruler of Assam was Mahiranga Danava of Danava dynasty, who was succeeded in turn, in the direct line by Hatakasur, Sambarsur and Ratnasur. After them there was a chief named Ghatakasur, the ruler of the Kiratas. He made Progjyotishpur (the modern Guwahati) his capital, and settled numerous Brahmans at Kamakhya. Narakasur was killed by Lord Krishna of Dwaraka. Narakasur's successor, Bhagadatta, figured in the Mahabharata war leading a vast army against the Pandavas.Sri Krishna frequently appears in Assam Mythology. Sri Krishna fought against king Bhismaka of Kundil (now Sadia) in his bid to marry Bhismaka's daughter Rukmini. Another king Banasura of Sonitpur (now Tezpur) fought against Sri Krishna, when Banasura's daughter Usha was secretly married to Anirudh, the grandson of Sri Krishna.http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:ByWrXdWtVYQJ:www.indiabook.com/india-information/assam.html+Bhismaka&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=in
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Evidence• Archaeological evidence (Dwaraka, River Saraswati),

inscriptions found at various places (Aihole, Belgaum, Nidhanpur)

• Greek records (Megasthenes), etc. provide interesting clues to the dateline of the Mahabharat.

• On one of the excavations obtained from the Egyptian Pyramid, dated to 3000 B.C, is found engraved a verse from the Bhagavad Geeta "vasanvsi jeernani yatha vihaya, navani ghrunnati naro parani" (Nava Bharat Times, 18-4-67).

• A tablet found in the Mohenjodaro sites depicts Lord

Krishna and is dated to be 2600 B.C (Mackay's report, Part 1)

• According to B.B. Lal, horse bones, vestiges of the Ashwamedh, have been discovered at Hastinapur.

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Immense Destruction

• Krishna leaves his earthly abode• Kaliyug descends• Dwaraka submerged• 1500 years pass• Heavy Migration occurs (Maya in Mexico, Bheema in

Siberia)• Bhagavad Geeta is sung

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Mahaveer Jain

• Born near Pataliputra (Bihar)

• Jaina tradition holds that Bhagawan Mahaveer (Vardhamaan) left this world 15 years after the death of Bhagawan Buddha (1807 B.C.), i.e., in 1792 B.C., and since Mahaveer lived for a span of 72 years, he must have been born in 1864 B.C.

• He preached that right faith (samyak-darshana), right knowledge (samyak-jnana), and right conduct (samyak-charitra) together will help attain the liberation of one's self.

• Nonviolence (Ahimsa), Truthfulness (Satya), Non-stealing (Asteya), Chastity (Brahmacharya), Non-attachment (Aparigraha)

1864 B.C.

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The spiritual power and moral grandeur of Mahavir's teachings impressed the masses. He made religion simple and natural, free from elaborate ritual complexities. His teachings reflected the popular impulse towards internal beauty and harmony of the soul. His message of nonviolence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahma-charya), and non-possession (Aparigraha) is full of universal compassion. He said that, "A living body is not merely an integration of limbs and flesh but it is the abode of the soul which potentially has perfect perception (Anant-darshana), perfect knowledge (Anant-jnana), perfect power (Anant-virya), and perfect bliss (Anant-sukha)." Mahavir's message reflects freedom and spiritual joy of the living being. Mahavir was quite successful in eradicating from human intellect the conception of God as creator, protector, and destroyer. He also denounced the worship of gods and goddesses as a means of salvation. He taught the idea of supremacy of human life and stressed the importance of the positive attitude of life. Lord Mahavir also preached the gospel of universal love, emphasizing that all living beings, irrespective of their size, shape, and form how spiritually developed or under-developed, are equal and we should love and respect them. Jainism existed before Mahavir, and his teachings were based on those of his predecessors. Thus, unlike Buddha, Mahavir was more of a reformer and propagator of an existing religious order than the founder of a new faith. He followed the well established creed of his predecessor Tirthankara Parshvanath. However, Mahavir did reorganize the philosophical tenets of Jainism to correspond to his times. Lord Mahavir preached five great vows while Lord Parshva preached four great vows. In the matters of spiritual advancement, as envisioned by Mahavir, both men and women are on an equal footing. The lure of renunciation and liberation attracted women as well. Many women followed Mahavir's path and renounced the world in search of ultimate happiness. In a few centuries after Mahavir's nirvana, Jain religious order (Sangha) grew more and more complex. There were schisms on some minor points although they did not affect the original doctrines as preached by the Tirthankars. Later generations saw the introduction of ritualistic complexities which almost placed Mahavir and other Tirthankars on the throne of Hindu deities. Idol WorshipThe idols of twenty-four Tirthankaras in the temple are the same because they represent the quality and virtues of Tirthankaras not the physical body. However, at the bottom of each idol a unique symbol is placed to differentiate them. Lord Mahavir's idol is recognized by the symbol of a lion.
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Gautam Buddha• Siddhartha to Shuddhodana the king of

Kapilavastu (Nepal). Married to Yashodhara, who soon gave birth to a son who they called Rahul.

• Gautam Siddharta was 23rd in the Ikshwaku lineage

• Contemporary of Kshemajita, Bindusar and Ajatashatru, the 31st-33rd kings of the Shishunaga dynasty

• Coronation of Ajatashatru tookplace, that is in 1814 B.C.

• Astronomical calculations suggest Gautam Siddharta to be 2259 years after the Bharata War (3138 B.C.). which turns out to be 1880 B.C.

• Born in 1887 B.C., Renunciation in 1858 B.C., Penance during 1858-52 B.C and Death in 1807 B.C.

Aarya-ashtangamarga (Eight-fold path)

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The Right Path and Immortality For 45 years, Buddha spread his message of a spiritual life. He did not believe in rituals but pointed to an 8 - fold path towards salvation - that of right speech, understanding, determination, deeds, efforts, awareness, thinking and living. According to Buddhism, by following this path one could overcome desires, which were the root cause of grief and misery.
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Chandragupta Maurya•“Magadha” King

•Greek chronicles silent on the names of Chanakya, Bindusar (his son) and even Ashoka (his grandson)

•Shishunaga dynasty ruled for 360 years, beginning from 1994 B.C.

•Nanda dynasty was 100 years (Mahapadma Nanda)

•During this time dams were constructed on rivers for water storage and irrigation. Rainfall was measured. Silver coins were issued by the rulers to facilitate trade. (Earliest known coin is a coin issued by Ajatshatru.)

1534 B.C.

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Aadi Shankaracharya•Kaladi, Kerala (Sivaguru, Aaryamba)

•Sri Govinda Bagawathpathar (Guru)

•Established 4 “Maths” (pilgrimage site and seat of learning )

•Jotirmath, Badrinath, Uttar Pradesh•Govardhana Matha, Puri, Orrisa•Sringeri Peetham, Shringeri, Karnatak, •Dwaraka Pitha, Dwaraka, Gujarat)

•Upholding the underlying unity of the holy land of Bharat.

•Lived for 32 years (Quem di diligunt, adolescens moratur -- Whom the gods love, die young)

509 B.C.

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Alexander meets Puru

King Porus

Alexander Defeated

Returns to the West

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Gupta DynastyGupta Dynasty

•Xandramas, Sandrocotus, Sandracyptus

•2811 years after the Mahabharata War, i.e., corresponding to 328 B.C.

•Sandrokotus of the Greeks, the political and social conditions in India at that time, match to those of in the era Chandragupta Gupta (not Maurya)

•"Golden Age" in the history of India •Art and architecture, polity and politics, wealth and wisdom flourished side by side.

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The rule of the Guptas is recorded as the "Golden Age" in the history of India, when all the facets of civilization, art and architecture, polity and politics, wealth and wisdom flourished side by side.
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Cholas in South East Asia

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Aryan Migration

Myth of the Aryan Invasion (1500 B.C)

Cause a split between North and South, different castes, aboriginals

Justification to rule Bharat

Arya means noble, with good qualities (Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Chanakya)

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RgVed – Oldest Book

Belongs to All, irrespective of class, colour or creed • Astronomical References • Taiteriya Brahman (3:1:15), where Brushaspati

(Jupiter) crossed the Pushya constellation, gives a date of 4650 B.C.

• Aiteriya Brahmana refers to 6000 B.C. • From the calculation of the vernal equinox cycle, the

Taiteriya Samhita provides dates that reach as far as 22000 B.C (Ref: Vartak, Tilak).

• The life sized head has a hair style which the Vedas describe as being unique to Vasishtha... Carbon 14 tests indicate that it was cast around 3700 B.C., with an error in either direction of upto 800 years .. an age also confirmed by independent metallurgical tests" (J. of Indo-European Studies, v.18, 1990, p.425-46).

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Conintuous History and Spread

• Vedic culture had reached a state of supreme high idealism

• Arya people wanted to propagate and share with rest of the world

• From the original Sapta-Sindhu homeland, and later, from the regions of Caspian Sea, the Vedics appear to have migrated across the globe

• “Dravid” were the early offshoots of the Vedic people through Sage Agastya

• Common history of humanity • Commonality and affinity of the most ancient

languages with Sanskrit

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Timelines• Swayambhuva Manu 29,000 B.C. • Veda (early stages) 23,720 B.C. • Samhita (Taitiriya) 22,000 B.C. • Manu Chakshushu 17,500 B.C. • King Pruthu 16,050 B.C. • Manu Vaivasvata 14,000 B.C. • Indra-Skanda dialogue (Mahabharat) 13,000

B.C.• Glaciation period 8,000 B.C. • Dasharadnya War 7,000 B.C. • Ramayana 5,500 B.C. • Orion period 4,000 B.C.

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Timelines Continued

• Greeks separate 4,000 B.C. • Rajatarangini begins 3,450 B.C. • Gonanda-I of Kashmir 3,238 B.C. • Mahabharata 3,138 B.C. • Veda (last stages) 3,100 B.C. • Saptarsi era begins 3,076 B.C. • Saraswati-Sindhu Culture 3,000 B.C. • Gautam Siddharta born 1,887 B.C. • Gautam Siddharta Nirvana 1,807 B.C. • Mahaveer Jain born 1,862 B.C.

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Timelines Continued• Chandragupta Maurya 1,534 B.C. • Ashoka Maurya 1,482 B.C. • Ashoka Gonanda 1,448 B.C. Kanishka 1,294

B.C. • Kumarila Bhatta 557 B.C. • Vruddha Garga 550 B.C. • Aadi Shankaracharya born 509 B.C. • Harsha Vikramaditya 457 B.C. • Shatkarani Gautamiputra 433 B.C.

Chandragupta Gupta 327 B.C. • Shakari Vikramaditya 57 B.C. • Shalivahan 78 A.D. • Huen-Tsang 625 A.D. • Kalhana (Kashmiri historian) 1,148 A.D